RIH: Neighborhood Opportunities Program Funding

RIHousing is pleased to announce the opening of a competitive funding round to support the
renewal of projects originally funded through the Neighborhood Opportunities Program
(NOP).

• NOP was an initiative of the State of Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission,
  the dual purposes of which were to (i) increase the supply of affordable rental housing
  for very low income families and individuals and (ii) preserve permanent supportive
  housing (PSH) and family housing (FHF) opportunities for disabled persons that are
  experiencing homelessness.
• Funding for Neighborhood Opportunities Program (NOP) legacy projects is currently
  being provided by RIHousing. In particular, funds are available for the renewal of
  existing PSH and FHF projects that utilize the Rhode Island Continuum of Care
  (RICoC) Coordinated Entry System (CES) Single Prioritization List to fill vacancies and
  are scheduled to draw down all previously awarded NOP funds by December 31, 2019.
  The renewal term will be one year. NOP legacy funding is not currently available for
  new projects or tax credit developments.

For the 2018 funding round, RIHousing anticipates awarding:

• Renewal funding for PSH and FHF projects that meet Housing Quality Standards and
  exclusively serve individuals experiencing homelessness using the CES Single
  Prioritization List, that have previously received NOP awards, and need additional
  operating subsidy to meet their initial 10-year obligations or to extend affordability
  restrictions beyond an expiring 10-year obligation.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

Non-profit housing developers, for-profit developers, public housing authorities, cities, towns, faith-based organizations and community housing development organizations are eligible to apply, subject to the above described limitations to projects that have received previous NOP awards.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION:

A selection committee consisting of RIHousing employees (the “Committee”) will review
all proposals and make a determination based on the following factors:

• Professional capacity to administer the funds and operate the property in accordance
  with state and federal housing quality standards and other rules applicable to NOP;
• Previous experience serving low-income, disabled, homeless persons and families (or
  other vulnerable populations);
• Current use of CES Single Prioritization List to fill vacancies;
• Extent to which the proposal meets the anticipated demands of NOP;
• Previous/current partnerships with RIHousing and/or other government agencies
  or social service organizations; and
• Other pertinent information submitted.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• There is only one acceptable application form. It is posted on the RIHousing website at
  www.rihousing.com.
• Applicants may submit proposals for more than one project per funding round.
• Two hard copies (unbound) must be submitted to Lenore Coughlin, Compliance Specialist, RIHousing, 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903 by the deadline set forth above.
• For additional information concerning NOP, contact Jessica Mowry at (401)277-1564 or jmowry@rihousing.com.